PARENTAL RIGHTS

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One of the most serious actions that Virginia courts can take against a parent is the termination of parental rights. Parental rights will not be terminated where there is still a reasonable chance that circumstances can change so that the child can have a beneficial relationship with both of his parents.

One of the most serious actions that Virginia courts can take against a parent is the termination of parental rights. A parent who has his or her parental rights terminated has no legal right to be involved in any way in the life of his or her child, and has no further responsibility for his or her child. In some cases, a parent who is unwilling or unable to provide any support to his or her child may voluntarily ask the court for a termination of his or her parental rights. In other cases, the child’s other parent, another relative, or a child welfare agency may seek to have parental rights terminated involuntarily

In order for a Virginia court to take this serious action, the court would have to determine that termination was best for the child because the child was been endangered by the abuse or neglect of the parent. Parental rights will not be terminated where there is still a reasonable chance that circumstances can change so that the child can have a beneficial relationship with both of his parents. Circumstances where a court may decide to terminate parental rights include situations where the parent has been convicted of certain offenses against children, is unable to care for a child due to mental illness or drug addiction, or has abandoned or abused the child.

Virginia law also requires that a third party be ready to step in to the role of the parent whose rights are being terminated. Courts want to see that there are two parties who are responsible for the care and support of each child, and will not terminate the rights of a parent unless there is an alternate party who can assume this role for the child.

Honolulu, Hawaii

808.543.1122

Practice Areas

We Serve The Following Localities:

Alexandria; Fairfax; Falls Church; Fairfax County including Annandale, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Reston, and Vienna; Loudoun County including Ashburn, Leesburg, and Sterling; Henrico County including Richmond; District of Columbia; Baltimore; Baltimore County including Towson; Montgomery County including Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Rockville; and Prince George´s County including Hyattsville and Upper Marlboro; and Hawaii.